Grace Lutheran Church 239 E North St Hastings MI 49058 Website: www.grace-hastings.org Facebook: Grace Lutheran Church-ELCA Hastings, MI Phone: (269) 945-9414 (269) 945-2645 Pastor Paul Nuechterlein Ms. Cindy Olson, Minister of Music 17SP-1
Word Games We have all experienced the sting of broken promises, the pain of unfulfilled commitments, and the failure of human words to reassure us. We know just how cheap talk can be in the face of our hardest challenges. Today s gospel revolves around the fickleness of words and labels. When some community leaders try to catch Jesus in a malicious and dishonest verbal trap, he seizes the opportunity to point to the gracious word of God that cuts through such word games with a power that is realized in action. God makes promises with words that are not cheap but costly, bought with the sacrifice of God s only Son. In baptism, the words of God s commitment to us are placed over all who are baptized into Christ s death and raised with him to a new and eternal identity. In the Lord s supper, we receive not just Christ s words of reassurance but his very body and blood. In worship, God calls us to use our voices to speak God s words of promise to one another and to use our gifts and abilities to serve God in acting on those promises for one another. When we encounter others who are having a hard time or need our help, it can be easy to give them words of reassurance. Yet Christ calls us to participate in the power of a word that is realized in action, to look even for some small way to demonstrate our care and concern for others spending extra time with them, helping with a meal or task, or paying an expense for them. As you gather around the table with your sisters and brothers, receive the God who sent the Word in the flesh to save you, and ponder how God is sending you in the flesh to help those around you. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2017 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23413. 17SP-2
17 th Sunday after Pentecost October 1, 2017 Pentecost is a season for growing represented by the color green. We celebrate the founding of the church and the fruits of the Spirit. Holy Silence is observed as we enter to worship. Pre-Service Music Welcome/Worship Instructions Stand as you are able Gathering Song Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) 17SP-3
17SP-4
Greeting P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C And also with you. Prayer of the Day A Let us pray... God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. C Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Sit First Reading Ezekiel 18:1-4,25-32 Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their parents were and did, or who think they cannot turn from their wicked ways. God insistently invites people to turn and live. L A reading from Ezekiel: 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children s teeth are set on edge? 3 As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4 Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. 17SP-5
25 Yet you say, The way of the Lord is unfair. Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, The way of the Lord is unfair. O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live. L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Psalm 25:1-9 1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2 My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 Let none who look to you be put to shame; rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, and teach me your paths. R 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long. 6 Remember, O LORD, your compas- sion and love, for they are from everlasting. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your good- ness, O LORD. 8 You are gracious and up- right, O LORD; therefore you teach sinners in your way. 17SP-6
9 You lead the low- ly in justice and teach the low- ly your way. R Second Reading Philippians 2:1-13 As part of a call for harmony rather than self-seeking, Paul uses a very early Christian hymn that extols the selflessness of Christ in his obedient death on the cross. Christ s selfless perspective is to be the essential perspective we share as the foundation for Christian accord. L A reading from Philippians: 1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, 2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. L The word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Stand Gospel Acclamation 17SP-7
Gospel Reading Matthew 1:23-32 After driving the moneychangers out of the temple (21:12), Jesus begins teaching there. His authority is questioned by the religious leaders, who are supposed to be in charge of the temple. P The Holy Gospel, according to Matthew. C Glory to you, O Lord. 23 When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority? 24 Jesus said to them, I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? And they argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, he will say to us, Why then did you not believe him? 26 But if we say, Of human origin, we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet. 27 So they answered Jesus, We do not know. And he said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 28 What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, Son, go and work in the vineyard today. 29 He answered, I will not ; but later he changed his mind and went. 30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, I go, sir ; but he did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, The first. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him. P The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ. Sit Children s Message/Children s Church All children [including infants] and youth who desire to come forward for the children s sermon are welcomed and encouraged to do so. Parents/caregivers are welcome to accompany their child during the children s message. Message Silence for reflection Song of the Day Holy God, Holy and Glorious ELW 637 (red book) Kneel or sit as able. Prayers A Open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all of God s creation. A brief silence. A We pray for the mission of the gospel. Unite your church in its proclamation and witness. Let the same mind be in us that is in Christ Jesus. Empower and guide the faith of our bishops and 17SP-8
congregations and all the servants of your church, especially Bishops Elizabeth and Craig, Assistants David, Chrysanne and Sarah; our companion churches in Latvia, Honduras and Papua New Guinea; Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Kent City, Orangeville Baptist Church in Plainwell; and Minister of Music Cindy. Pour out your spirit of courage and faith upon the leader you will call for service to Grace. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A Creator God, you provide daily for our nourishment. Bless fields and orchards, oceans and lakes, birds and animals, insects and fish. Sustain those who harvest your life-sustaining bounty. Help us share the gifts you have freely given. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A God of the nations, give all your people the mind of Christ. Guide national and international leaders to advocate for policies that look to the interests of the most vulnerable. Humble us when we question your mercy toward those who are different from us. Protect the lives of those who serve in the military, especially Myrina Clements, Lance and Kayla Champaco, Joshua Wright, Tim Krewson and Tyler Van Houten. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A Self-emptying God, stir up compassion for those in need. Send your Spirit to those who are in crisis, troubled, weary, or discouraged. Comfort the sick and their caregivers, especially Tim Lowe, John Glasgow, Danny Gillons, Kris Gilbert, Barbara Macaully, Kathy & Ken Plourde, Judy & Bill Heil and Jeanne & Ron Bush. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A We pray for our congregation and community. Guide our deliberations over difficult decisions as they arise in the future. Strengthen our commitment to our ministries. We ask your blessing of discernment and wisdom upon our Call Committee, and patience for our congregation while we wait for our next Pastor. Let your will be heard clearly by all involved in this process. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A Be attentive, gracious God, to the individual petitions we lift to you in loud voice or in the silence of our hearts. Here other intercessions may be offered. A Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. A Gracious God, we give thanks for the saints whose tongues confessed Jesus Christ as Lord. Keep us confident in your promises until we join them in endless praise. Lord in your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting the power of Christ and the gifts of the Spirit. C Amen. Sit 17SP-9
Offering of Gifts and Music Everyone at worship is encouraged to fill out a Participation card and place it in the offering plate every Sunday morning. Stand as you are able. Offering Song Create in Me Offering Prayer A Let us pray... God of life, you give us these gifts of the earth, these resources of our life and our labor. C Take them, offered in great thanksgiving, and use them to set a table that will heal the whole creation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Light. Amen Stand as you are able 17SP-10
Sharing the Peace of God P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. (We share the peace of Christ with one another.) Great Thanksgiving P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give our thanks and praise. P It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Eucharistic Prayer P Holy God, our Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, in the harmonious world of your creation everything was whole and well in your praise. C When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills and to form us again into one. P In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; He broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. 17SP-11
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his acts of healing, his body given up, and his victory over death, C we await that day when all the people of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of life. P Send your Spirit upon us and this meal: as grains scattered on the hillside become one bread, C let your Church be gathered from the ends of the earth, that all may be fed with the Bread of life, your Son. P Through him all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, C both now and forever. Amen. Lord s Prayer P Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us always to pray: C Our Father in heaven, holy be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. Invitation to Communion P Taste and see that the Lord is good. Communion at Grace All who are present are invited to receive Holy Communion. This sacrament is a gift to all who come with open hands and open hearts to the presence of Jesus. Bread is served by the Pastor. Wine is served from a common cup by the Assisting Minister. If you need gluten free bread, please let the Pastor know when you come forward. If you prefer wine from the pouring chalice in an individual cup, take an empty cup from the tray and have it filled by the Worship Assistant. Return the individual chalice/cup to the basket provided. Grape Juice is provided in the pre-filled cups in the center of the serving tray. A Verbal Blessing may be given by the Pastor, if you do not wish to commune. If you wish communion brought to you in the pew, please notify the usher. Sit 17SP-12
Lamb of God Now We Offer O Master, Let Me Walk with You Take, oh, Take Me as I Am WOV 761 (blue book) ELW 818 (red book) ELW 814 (red book) Stand as you are able. Prayer after Communion A Let us pray... Holy and compassionate God, in bread and wine you give us gifts that form us to be humble and courageous. C May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we might speak a living voice of healing and justice to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. Amen. Sit 17SP-13
Congregational Announcements Stand as you are able. Blessing P God, creator of all things, speaking reformation into being; Jesus Christ, savior of the world, raising the dead; Holy Spirit, living voice, calling and enlightening the church: Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. C Amen. All children and youth, as well as the young at heart and playful spirits, are invited to come forward to make music and dance during the Sending Hymn. Please choose one instrument to play or one scarf to use for waving and dancing. Sending Song What Wondrous Love is This ELW 666 (red book) Dismissal A Go in peace. Sound the good news. C Thanks be to God. THIS WEEK AT GRACE Today, October 1 Monday, October 2 Tuesday, October 3 Thursday, October 5 Sunday, October 8 Worship at 8:00 & 10:45 am Adult Forum 9:30 am Children s Church 10:45 am Communication Team 10:00 am Women s Bible Study 12:30 pm Executive Committee 5:30 pm Clapper Kids bell choir 3:45 5:00 pm Grace Notes bell choir 5:45 7:00 pm Noisy offering CROP Walk 17SP-14
Stewardship Information Worshippers last week: 88 Weekly Giving: $3,548.00 Budget Amount: $4,181.22 The local Food Pantry located at the Methodist Church on Green Street is currently in need of sugar, canned pasta (ie, ravioli, spaghetti-o s, etc), boxed instant mashed potatoes. Pastor Paul Nuechterlein, who is presiding today, is recently retired (2015) from 30 years of parish ministry in the ELCA and now leads a seminar ministry in connection with his preaching website http://girardianlectionary.net. 2018 God s Creation Calendars will be available this year, please place your order on the signup sheet in the welcome area. Calendars are available for $5 each. Please place your order by October 8 th. PLEASE SAVE the DATE for CROP WALK October 8, 2017. Grace Lutheran is hosting this event for Barry County and we need your help to welcome 10-15 churches and up to 300 people. You can sign up to donate food or be a volunteer the day of the event. You can participate as a walker by signing up with Kim Domke or on line https://www.crophungerwalk.org/hastingsmi Donations will be collected Sept 17 October 8. Checks should be written to CWS- CROP Please see the board in the Gathering Space for more details, or talk with Kim Domke. From September 30 through October 10, please contact Pastor Paul Nuechterlein at 269-290- 4533 if you need emergency pastoral care. For other needs, please contact the church office at 269-945-9414 or Grace President Chris Bush at 517-614-5546. Retired pastor Mike Kemper will be available again for pastoral care after October 10. 17SP-15
Today s Worship Leaders 8:00 am 10:45 am Assisting Ministers Randy Teegardin Phil Poholski Cantor Jack Vos Vickey Argo Lector John Burdick Joyce Daugherty Communion Server Brenda Teegardin Sandy Mosteller Acolyte/Crucifer Gavin Patton Emma Peck Usher Dan & Grayson Patton Mark Anton, Gwen Hansen Sandy Mosteller, Joe Longcor Greeter/Coffee Hr. Tom/Cheryl Drumm Eve Wright Children s Church Doug/Diane Neeb Chancel Team Jeanette Ulrich Mark Kleinbrink Next Sunday s Worship Leaders, October 8, 2017 Assisting Ministers Chris Bush Traci Wales Cantor Jack Vos Mark Anton Lector??? Sandy Mosteller Communion Server Jana Bishop Diane Neeb Acolyte/Crucifer Mark Anton Lance Ogden Usher Mark/Jana Bishop Gary/Lisa Golnek Doug/Diane Neeb Greeter/Coffee Hr. Jack/Carol Vos John/Mark Kleinbrink Children s Church Phil/Amy Poholski Chancel Team Jeanette Ulrich Mark Kleinbrink 17SP-16